Edinburgh office-to-aparthotel development set for approval

UK: Plans to redevelop six townhouses along Forth Street in Edinburgh into an aparthotel are expected to be approved after the number of beds were reduced from 90 to 53.

Located along 16-26 Forth Street, the townhouses most recently served as offices.

Edinburgh council committee papers published ahead of a meeting on September 30 recommend that permission for the development is granted.

After concerns were raised by Historic Environment Scotland, developers Limetree Developments (West) Limited reduced the total room count to 53. 

However, concerns remain about the proposed rear extension, which Edinburgh World Heritage describe as “objectionable” and which erode the traditional pattern of buildings found in the New Town. 

AMA Studio said in the design and access statement: “The proposed rear extension is conceived as reflecting the traditional pattern of mews developments within rear spaces of the principal streets of Edinburgh New Town. The proposal includes a two-storey masonry (brick) extension with attic storey accommodation above and dormer style windows, matching the scale and height of the adjacent recent development at 16 Union Street.”

Highlights:

• Developer Limetree Developments (West) Limited is expected to receive planning approval to convert six B-listed Georgian townhouses at 16–26 Forth Street in Edinburgh’s New Town from office space into an aparthotel.
• In response to heritage concerns from Historic Environment Scotland, the proposed scheme was scaled down from 90 units to 53 rooms.
• Architectural firm AMA Studio designed the project, proposing a two-storey masonry extension with attic-storey accommodation in the rear space, matching the scale of adjacent developments.
• Despite council recommendation for approval, local heritage bodies including Edinburgh World Heritage have raised objections regarding the impact of the proposed rear extension on the New Town conservation pattern.